System and method of controlling auxiliary vehicle functions

Abstract

A system and method of controlling auxiliary vehicle functions via one or more touchpads on the vehicle steering wheel is disclosed. In response to receiving a user input at one of the touchpads, the vehicle performs a corresponding action depending on the region of the touchpad in which the input was received and the context in which the vehicle is currently operating. During operation, the vehicle displays, on a display screen of the vehicle (e.g., the HUD), a contextual control image indicating which actions will be performed in response to various inputs entered at one or more of the touch pads on the steering wheel. In this way, the steering wheel can accept an input for a variety of auxiliary functions.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
         1 . A vehicle comprising:
 a first touch pad comprising a plurality of input regions;   a heads-up display (HUD), the HUD comprising a projector and a windshield of the vehicle;   one or more processors operatively coupled to the first touch pad and the HUD;   a memory including instructions, which when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform a method comprising:
 receiving an indication of a first user input at a first input region of the first touch pad; 
 in response to receiving the indication of the first user input, performing a first operation in accordance with the first input region of the first touch pad; 
 performing a second operation; 
 in response to the second operation, displaying, on the HUD, a first contextual control image, the first contextual control image comprising a representation of the first touch pad and an image indicating a third operation associated with the first input region of the first touch pad, the third operation different from the first operation; 
 receiving an indication of a second user input at the first input region of the first touch pad; and 
 in response to receiving the indication of the second user input, performing the third operation in accordance with the input region of the first touch pad. 
   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second operation comprises receiving an indication of an incoming phone call,   the first contextual control image comprises an image indicating an answering operation and an image indicating a declining operation, wherein the image indicating a respective one of the answering operation and the declining operation is visually associated with the first input region of the first touch pad, and   the first operation is different than receiving the indication of the incoming phone call.   
     
     
         3 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second operation comprises executing a phone call of a phone operatively coupled to the one or more processors,   during the phone call, the first contextual control image comprises an image indicating a volume up operation, an image indicating a volume down operation, an image indicating a mute call operation, and an image indicating an end call operation, wherein the image indicating a respective one of the volume up operation, the volume down operation, the mute call operation, and the end call operation is visually associated with the first input region of the first touch pad, and   the first operation is different than executing the phone call.   
     
     
         4 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first operation comprises one of a skip ahead operation of audio content playing on a speaker operatively coupled to the one or more processors, a skip backwards operation of the audio content playing on the speaker, a volume up operation, and a volume down operation, and   the HUD does not display an image indicating the volume up operation, an image indicating the volume down operation, an image indicating the skip ahead operation, or an image indicating the skip backwards operation while the indication of the first user input is received.   
     
     
         5 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second operation comprises displaying, on the HUD, a plurality of menu items, each menu item associated with a setting of the vehicle,   the first contextual control image comprises an image indicating a scrolling operation, an image indicating a navigate backwards operation, and an image indicating a selection operation, wherein the image indicating a respective one of the scrolling operation, the navigate backwards operation, and the selection operation is visually associated with the first input region of the first touch pad, and   the first operation is different than displaying, on the HUD, the plurality of menu items.   
     
     
         6 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second operation comprises adjusting a position of a component of the vehicle, the component being one of a steering wheel, a mirror, and a seat,   the first contextual image comprises an image indicating a first adjustment operation on the component of the vehicle, an image indicating a second adjustment operation on the component of the vehicle, and an image indicating a confirm operation, wherein the image indicating a respective one of the first adjustment operation, the second adjustment operation, and the confirm operation is visually associated with a respective input region of the first touch pad, and   the first operation is different than adjusting the position of the component of the vehicle.   
     
     
         7 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising a second display, wherein:
 the second operation comprises receiving an indication of a vehicle warning,   in response to receiving the indication of the vehicle warning the vehicle displays, on the second display, a first visual indication of the vehicle warning,   in response to receiving the indication of the vehicle warning, the vehicle concurrently displays, on the HUD, a second visual indication of the vehicle warning and the first contextual control image,   the first contextual control image comprises an image indicating a dismiss operation, wherein the image indicating the dismiss operation is visually associated with the first input region of the first touch pad,   in response to the second user input, the vehicle ceases to display the second visual indication of the vehicle warning and the first contextual control image while continuing to display the first indication of the vehicle warning, and   the first operation is different than receiving the indication of the vehicle warning.   
     
     
         8 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second touch pad comprising a plurality of input regions, wherein the method further comprises:
 receiving an indication of a third user input at an input region of the second touch pad, 
 in response to receiving the indication of the third user input, displaying, on the HUD, a second contextual control image comprising a representation of the second touch pad and an image indicating a first driver assistance function and an image indicating a second driver assistance function, wherein a respective one of the first driver assistance function and the second driver assistance function is associated with a first characteristic of an input at the input region of the second touch pad, 
 receiving an indication of a fourth user input at the input region of the second touch pad, the fourth user input having the first characteristic, and 
 in response to receiving the fourth user input, performing the respective one of the first driver assistance function and the second driver assistance function in accordance with the first characteristic of the fourth user input. 
   
     
     
         9 . The vehicle of  claim 8 , wherein, in response to receiving the fourth user input:
 the vehicle enters an adaptive cruise control driving mode in accordance with the first characteristic of the fourth user input, and the method further comprises:
 displaying, on the HUD, a third contextual control image comprising a representation of the second touch pad and an image indicating an increase speed operation, an image indicating a decrease speed operation, an image indicating an alter following distance operation, an image indicating an initiate third driver assistance function operation, and an image indicating a cease adaptive cruise control driving mode operation, wherein the image indicating a respective one of the increase speed operation, the decrease speed operation, the alter following distance operation, the initiate driver assistance function operation, and the cease adaptive cruise control driving mode operation is visually associated with a respective input region of the second touch pad, 
 receiving an indication of a fifth user input at the respective input region of the second touch pad, and 
 in response to the fifth user input, performing the respective one of the increase speed operation, the decrease speed operation, the alter following distance operation, the initiate third driver assistance function operation, and the cease adaptive cruise control driving mode operation in accordance with the respective input region of the second touch pad. 
   
     
     
         10 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions, which when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform a method comprising:
 receiving an indication of a first user input at an input region of a first touch pad;   in response to receiving the indication of the first user input, performing a first operation in accordance with the input region of the first touch pad;   performing a second operation;   in response to the second operation, displaying, on a heads-up display (HUD), a first contextual control image, the first contextual control image comprising a representation of the first touch pad and an image indicating a third operation associated with the first input region of the first touch pad, the third operation different from the first operation;   receiving an indication of a second user input at the first input region of the first touch pad; and   in response to receiving the indication of the second user input, performing the third operation in accordance with the input region of the first touch pad.   
     
     
         11 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the second operation comprises receiving an indication of an incoming phone call,   the first contextual control image comprises an image indicating an answering operation and an image indicating a declining operation, wherein the image indicating a respective one of the answering operation and the declining operation is visually associated with the first input region of the first touch pad, and   the first operation is different than receiving the indication of the incoming phone call.   
     
     
         12 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the second operation comprises executing a phone call of a phone operatively coupled to the one or more processors,   during the phone call, the first contextual control image comprises an image indicating a volume up operation, an image indicating a volume down operation, an image indicating a mute call operation, and an image indicating an end call operation, wherein the image indicating a respective one of the volume up operation, the volume down operation, the mute call operation, and the end call operation is visually associated with the first input region of the first touch pad, and   the first operation is different than executing the phone call.   
     
     
         13 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the vehicle further comprises a second display,   the second operation comprises receiving an indication of a vehicle warning,   in response to receiving the indication of the vehicle warning the vehicle displays, on the second display, a first visual indication of the vehicle warning,   in response to receiving the indication of the vehicle warning, the vehicle concurrently displays, on the HUD, a second visual indication of the vehicle warning and the first contextual control image,   the first contextual control image comprises an image indicating a dismiss operation, wherein the image indicating the dismiss operation is visually associated with the first input region of the first touch pad,   in response to the second user input, the vehicle ceases to display the second visual indication of the vehicle warning and the first contextual control image while continuing to display the first indication of the vehicle warning, and   the first operation is different than receiving the indication of the vehicle warning.   
     
     
         14 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the vehicle further comprises a second touch pad comprising a plurality of input regions, and the method further comprises:
 receiving an indication of a third user input at an input region of the second touch pad, 
 in response to receiving the indication of the third user input, displaying, on the HUD, a second contextual control image comprising a representation of the second touch pad and an image indicating a first driver assistance function and an image indicating a second driver assistance function, wherein a respective one of the first driver assistance function and the second driver assistance function is associated with a first characteristic of an input at the input region of the second touch pad, 
 receiving an indication of a fourth user input at the input region of the second touch pad, the fourth user input having the first characteristic, and 
 in response to receiving the fourth user input, performing the respective one of the first driver assistance function and the second driver assistance function in accordance with the first characteristic of the fourth user input. 
   
     
     
         15 . A method comprising:
 receiving an indication of a first user input at an input region of a first touch pad;   in response to receiving the indication of the first user input, performing a first operation in accordance with the input region of the first touch pad;   performing a second operation;   in response to the second operation, displaying, on a heads-up display (HUD), a first contextual control image, the first contextual control image comprising a representation of the first touch pad and an image indicating a third operation associated with the first input region of the first touch pad, the third operation different from the first operation;   receiving an indication of a second user input at the first input region of the first touch pad; and   in response to receiving the indication of the second user input, performing the third operation in accordance with the input region of the first touch pad.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the second operation comprises receiving an indication of an incoming phone call,   the first contextual control image comprises an image indicating an answering operation and an image indicating a declining operation, wherein the image indicating a respective one of the answering operation and the declining operation is visually associated with the first input region of the first touch pad, and   the first operation is different than receiving the indication of the incoming phone call.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the second operation comprises executing a phone call of a phone operatively coupled to the one or more processors,   during the phone call, the first contextual control image comprises an image indicating a volume up operation, an image indicating a volume down operation, an image indicating a mute call operation, and an image indicating an end call operation, wherein the image indicating a respective one of the volume up operation, the volume down operation, the mute call operation, and the end call operation is visually associated with the first input region of the first touch pad, and   the first operation is different than executing the phone call.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the vehicle further comprises a second display,   the second operation comprises receiving an indication of a vehicle warning,   in response to receiving the indication of the vehicle warning the vehicle displays, on the second display, a first visual indication of the vehicle warning,   in response to receiving the indication of the vehicle warning, the vehicle concurrently displays, on the HUD, a second visual indication of the vehicle warning and the first contextual control image,   the first contextual control image comprises an image indicating a dismiss operation, wherein the image indicating the dismiss operation is visually associated with the first input region of the first touch pad,   in response to the second user input, the vehicle ceases to display the second visual indication of the vehicle warning and the first contextual control image while continuing to display the first indication of the vehicle warning, and   the first operation is different than receiving the indication of the vehicle warning.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the vehicle further comprises a second touch pad comprising a plurality of input regions, and the method further comprises:
 receiving an indication of a third user input at an input region of the second touch pad, 
 in response to receiving the indication of the third user input, displaying, on the HUD, a second contextual control image comprising a representation of the second touch pad and an image indicating a first driver assistance function and an image indicating a second driver assistance function, wherein a respective one of the first driver assistance function and the second driver assistance function is associated with a first characteristic of an input at the input region of the second touch pad, 
 receiving an indication of a fourth user input at the input region of the second touch pad, the fourth user input having the first characteristic, and 
 in response to receiving the fourth user input, performing the respective one of the first driver assistance function and the second driver assistance function in accordance with the first characteristic of the fourth user input. 
   
     
     
         20 . A vehicle comprising:
 means for receiving an indication of a first user input at an input region of a first touch pad;   means for performing a first operation in accordance with the input region of the first touch pad in response to receiving the indication of the first user input;   means for performing a second operation;   means for displaying, on a heads-up display (HUD), in response to the second operation, a first contextual control image, the first contextual control image comprising a representation of the first touch pad and an image indicating a third operation associated with the first input region of the first touch pad, the third operation different from the first operation;   means for receiving an indication of a second user input at the first input region of the first touch pad; and   means for performing the third operation in accordance with the input region of the first touch pad in response to receiving the indication of the second user input.